Healthy nutrition is crucial to the aging process, which is why family caregivers need to help their senior loved ones develop good eating habits. The nutrients seniors consume can boost their wellbeing and cognitive health. However, eating unhealthy meals and snacks could increase the risk of heart disease, memory loss, mobility limitations, and vision impairment. Below you’ll find some of the most important nutritional needs of seniors and what you can do to help your parent meet those needs.
1. Potassium
Many of the foods aging adults consume contain sodium, which can increase the odds of heart disease. However, consuming adequate amounts of potassium helps the body counteract the effects of sodium. Incorporate potassium into your loved one’s diet to reduce the odds of a stroke, kidney damage, and congestive heart failure. Leafy greens, fat-free dairy products, fish, and legumes are excellent sources of potassium.
A professional caregiver can be a fantastic source of information on nutrition and how your loved one can live a healthier lifestyle. Not every senior has the same care needs, which means they don’t all need the same type of senior home care. Roseville families can rely on Home Care Assistance to provide individualized care plans to meet your elderly loved one’s unique care needs. Our holistic Balanced Care Method was designed to help seniors focus on healthy lifestyle habits such as eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, and maintaining strong social ties, and our Cognitive Therapeutics Method offers mentally stimulating activities that can stave off cognitive decline and delay the onset of dementia.
2. Fiber
To reduce the risk of strokes and heart attacks, older adults must find ways to lower their cholesterol levels. Eating nutritious foods that contain fiber is a good way to start. Fiber is a nutrient that can boost heart health and lower the risk of cancer. Eating beans, bananas, nuts, berries, and vegetables such as broccoli can also promote proper digestion and prevent issues such as constipation.
3. Vitamin B12
It’s common for seniors to experience low vitamin B12 levels, which could prevent their nerve cells and red blood cells from working properly. However, consuming foods and beverages that contain B12 can increase circulation and help the body maintain proper nerve cell function. Salmon, eggs, poultry, tuna, milk, yogurt, and fortified breakfast cereals are excellent sources of this nutrient.
If your loved one finds it challenging to shop for food or prepare nutritious meals, consider adding a professional caregiver to your family’s caregiving team. Elderly home care providers can benefit aging adults in a variety of ways. From cooking nutritious meals to offering timely medication reminders, the dedicated caregivers at Home Care Assistance are available to help your elderly loved one 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
4. Protein
To maintain a healthy weight, lower the risk of diabetes, boost bone health, and manage stress, your parent should consume more protein. If you’re unsure about how much of this nutrient your loved one needs, speak with his or her primary care physician. Chia seeds, nuts, yogurt, peas, chicken, salmon, milk, and artichokes are some of the foods that provide high amounts of protein.
5. Water
One of the main benefits of drinking water is that it strengthens bodily functions. This liquid also carries nutrients to various cells. A small percentage of water comes from foods such as watermelon, lettuce, strawberries, and spinach. However, your parent should consume at least eight glasses of water each day for optimal health. You can help your loved one get enough water by preparing water-based foods and keeping water in easy-to-reach places, such as on the table in the living room, on the nightstand near the bed, and in a cooler on the patio.
For older adults who have difficulty preparing meals that meet their nutritional needs, a professional home caregiver can be a tremendous asset. If you’re the primary family caregiver for a senior loved one living in Roseville, live-in care is available if your loved one’s health has become too difficult to handle without professional expertise. At Home Care Assistance, we take measures to help seniors prevent illness and injury by assisting with exercise and mobility, preparing nutritious meals, helping with bathing and other personal hygiene tasks, and much more. Reach out to us at Home Care Assistance if you need compassionate, professional care for your loved one. Call one of our dedicated Care Managers today at (916) 226-3737 to learn about the high quality of our in-home care services.